80th Anniversary of D-Day
Join us at the Alliance Française to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day in the company of one World War II veteran and experts gathered for an insightful round table discussion on the historic significance and enduring impact of this monumental event.
In addition to this engaging discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to discover photographer Valérie Jardin’s work featuring her poignant photos of World War II veterans.
About our speakers
James K. Kangas served as a Ball Turret Gunner aboard the Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress during WWII. Assigned to the 546th Bomb Squadron within the 384th Bomb Group, Kangas completed 35 combat missions.
Major Doug Bekke, U.S. Army (Retired), served as the Curator of the Minnesota Military Museum at Camp Ripley, Minnesota.
Donald G. Patton, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, spent three decades serving his country before transitioning into real estate development in Minnesota. Throughout his military service, Colonel Patton demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, earning the Meritorious Service Medal five times for his exemplary contributions. Alongside Professor Harold Deutsch, he co-founded the Dr. Harold C. Deutsch World War II History Round Table in 1987.
Through this platform, they preserved veterans' stories and educated new generations about the significance of World War II. Under Patton's leadership, the Round Table has thrived, now in its 37th season, offering insightful programs and educational outreach. Patton's commitment to honoring veterans and preserving history has earned national and international recognition, leaving a lasting legacy of remembrance and education.
Mark Copeland has always had a strong love for aviation in general with a keen focus on WWII aviation history since he was a young boy. Born in Bloomington, Minnesota, he began his career as a ramp agent at Mesaba Airlines in 1990. Over 33 years, he progressed through various roles in the airline industry, culminating in his position as Operations Control Center Flight Duty Director at Endeavor Airlines.
In 2021, he transitioned to the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Savannah, GA, where he developed commercial tours to the UK. Following the success of a pilot run in 2022, he joined the museum as Director of Educational Travel in February 2023. Mark has extensive experience as a historical consultant for prestigious museums and galleries worldwide. He is passionate about WWII aviation history and is dedicated to teaching and entertaining people through lectures, publications, and curated tours.
Writer, teacher, and editor, Margaret Todd Maitland teaches creative writing, most recently at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, and is a former museum professional at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. She has published travel essays and book reviews and as editor of Ruminator Review, a nationally distributed book review magazine, she published interviews and articles by writers and artists, including such cultural figures such as Nobel prize winner Wole Soyinka, poet Adrienne Rich, and artist Yoko Ono.
During a recent stay in a lighthouse on the coast of Normandy, she encountered the profound grief and gratitude of the people of Port-en-Bessin toward the British soldiers who liberated the town from Nazi occupation during the Allied Invasion of D-Day in 1944. She is currently writing a book of essays about the strange convergence of art and grief in the long history of Normandy, where the Impressionist movement was born.
Valérie Jardin’s series on WWII veterans
©ValerieJardin
You'll get to see captivating photos of WWII veterans such as Les Schrenk, Don Halverson, Gordon Kirk, Jim Rasmussen, John A. Clark, Lois Widmark, Reynolds Tomter, Richard King, and William Patten. These inspiring individuals are featured in Valérie Jardin’s series, "ONE CENTURY: Portraits of centenarians and the activities that bring them joy."
According to Valérie, “ONE CENTURY is more than a photography project; it is a celebration of the human spirit. Through these images, I want to inspire viewers to appreciate the beauty of aging. Many centenarians engage in activities that promote physical and mental stimulation. Some enjoy gardening or swimming. Others find solace in creative pursuits like music, painting or writing. In essence, centenarians demonstrate the importance of staying active, curious, and socially connected throughout life. Their choice of activity reflects their resilience and adaptability. Their zest for living is a true inspiration.”. Learn about the series here.
This event is free with a $10 suggested donation to support our cultural programs. Merci pour votre soutien !